Patents by Inventor Benno Andreas-Schott

Benno Andreas-Schott has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11038190
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell that includes a membrane electrode unit with a membrane and two electrodes which make surface contact with both faces of the membrane. The membrane electrode assembly has a seal support that surrounds the periphery of the membrane and that overlaps the latter. The membrane electrode also has a connecting layer which continuously overlaps the membrane and the seal support, an inner edge section of the connecting layer being bonded to the membrane electrode unit and an outer edge section of the connecting layer being bonded to the seal support on the same flat face of the connecting layer. A seal is connected outside the membrane to the seal support. A fuel cell is provided that includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies. A motor vehicle includes the fuel cell and a method is provided for producing the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Patent number: 10804545
    Abstract: A fuel cell (10) including at least one membrane assembly (13) arranged between at least two polar plates (14) of the fuel cell (10) is provided. The fuel cell (10) has at least one pair (25) of flow regions situated outside an active region (16) of the membrane assembly (13), the pair having overlapping flow regions (20) on both sides of the membrane assembly (13). A support (18) for supporting the membrane assembly (13) is arranged in one of the overlapping flow regions (20) on one side of the membrane assembly (13), between the membrane assembly (13) and one of the polar plates (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Patent number: 10374237
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, including a profiled anode plate and a profiled cathode plate each having an active region and two distributor regions with an anode gas main port for feeding and discharging fuel, a cathode gas main port for feeding and discharging oxidation agents, and a coolant main port for feeding and discharging coolant, these being arranged along a side edge. The bipolar plate includes distributor regions including at least one overlap section in which channels intersect one another in a non-fluidically connecting manner. The cathode gas main port is arranged between the anode gas main port and the coolant main port, cathode channels extend linearly from the port at least across the distributor region of the bipolar plate and, in a first overlap section, anode channels, and cathode channels intersect one another and form an angle of between 0° and 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Markus Ritter
  • Patent number: 10230117
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, having an anode side and a cathode side. The bipolar plate has two inactive supply regions, having anode gas channels which are each connected to one of two anode gas main channels and an anode gas flow field of an active region; cathode gas channels which are each connected to one of two cathode gas main channels and a cathode gas flow field of the active region; and coolant channels which are each connected to one of two coolant main channels and a coolant flow field of the active region. At least one of the anode gas main channels and the anode gas channels of the supply region connected thereto are arranged so that a length difference between a longest and a shortest anode gas channel of this supply region is at most 50% of the length of the longest anode gas channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Patent number: 10141583
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, including a profiled anode plate and a profiled cathode plate, each having an active region and two distribution regions for feeding and discharging operating media to and from the active region, and each distribution region having a main anode-gas port for supplying and evacuating fuel, a main cathode-gas port for supplying and evacuating oxidant and a main coolant port for supplying and evacuating coolant, the ports being arranged along a lateral edge of the bipolar plate. The plates are stacked so that the bipolar plate has channels interconnecting the main operating media ports of both distribution regions, and the distribution regions have at least one overlapping section, in which the channels overlap such that they do not form fluidic connections. A fuel cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Markus Ritter, Christian Martin Zillich
  • Patent number: 10115980
    Abstract: A cooling module (2) for a fuel cell (1) including a cooling circuit (3) for conducting a coolant, and a treatment unit (10) for the coolant, which is situated in the cooling circuit (3) in such a way that the coolant flowing in the cooling circuit (3) flows through it. The treatment unit (10) includes a filter medium (11) for removing metal ions from the coolant which includes a polymer having amidoxime and/or hydroxamic acid groups and is in contact with the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Reiner Nico Behrendt, Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Publication number: 20170110739
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, including a profiled anode plate and a profiled cathode plate, each having an active region and two distribution regions for feeding and discharging operating media to and from the active region, and each distribution region having a main anode-gas port for supplying and evacuating fuel, a main cathode-gas port for supplying and evacuating oxidant and a main coolant port for supplying and evacuating coolant, the ports being arranged along a lateral edge of the bipolar plate. The plates are stacked so that the bipolar plate has channels interconnecting the main operating media ports of both distribution regions, and the distribution regions have at least one overlapping section, in which the channels overlap such that they do not form fluidic connections. A fuel cell is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Markus Ritter, Christian Martin Zillich
  • Publication number: 20170098836
    Abstract: A fuel cell (10) including at least one membrane assembly (13) arranged between at least two polar plates (14) of the fuel cell (10) is provided. The fuel cell (10) has at least one pair (25) of flow regions situated outside an active region (16) of the membrane assembly (13), the pair having overlapping flow regions (20) on both sides of the membrane assembly (13). A support (18) for supporting the membrane assembly (13) is arranged in one of the overlapping flow regions (20) on one side of the membrane assembly (13), between the membrane assembly (13) and one of the polar plates (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Patent number: 9577284
    Abstract: A fuel cell device including a fuel cell stack with a flexible enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Thomas P. Migliore
  • Publication number: 20170025690
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, including a profiled anode plate and a profiled cathode plate each having an active region and two distributor regions with an anode gas main port for feeding and discharging fuel, a cathode gas main port for feeding and discharging oxidation agents, and a coolant main port for feeding and discharging coolant, these being arranged along a side edge. The bipolar plate includes channels connecting the operator media main ports to the active region, and the distributor regions including at least one overlap section in which the channels intersect one another in a non-fluidically connecting manner. The cathode gas main port is arranged between the anode gas main port and the coolant main port, cathode channels extend linearly from the port at least across the distributor region of the bipolar plate and, in a first overlap section, anode channels, and cathode channels intersect one another and form an angle of between 0° and 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Markus Ritter
  • Publication number: 20160308226
    Abstract: A cooling module (2) for a fuel cell (1) including a cooling circuit (3) for conducting a coolant, and a treatment unit (10) for the coolant, which is situated in the cooling circuit (3) in such a way that the coolant flowing in the cooling circuit (3) flows through it. The treatment unit (10) includes a filter medium (11) for removing metal ions from the coolant which includes a polymer having amidoxime and/or hydroxamic acid groups and is in contact with the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Reiner Nico Behrendt, Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Publication number: 20160118673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, having an anode side and a cathode side, wherein with regard to a top view of the anode or cathode side the bipolar plate having an active region which has an open anode gas flow field on the anode side and an open cathode gas flow field on the cathode side and has a dosed coolant flow field; through openings for operating materials, having at least two anode gas main channels for feeding and discharging of the anode gas, two cathode gas main channels for feeding and discharging the cathode gas, and two coolant main channels for feeding and discharging the coolant; two inactive supply regions, having anode gas channels which are each connected to one of the anode gas main channels and the anode gas flow field of the active region so as to convey fluid; cathode gas channels which are each connected to one of the cathode gas main channels and the cathode gas flow field of the active region so as to convey fluid; and coolant channels which are each connec
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: Benno ANDREAS-SCHOTT
  • Publication number: 20150228988
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell that includes a membrane electrode unit with a membrane and two electrodes which make surface contact with both faces of the membrane. The membrane electrode assembly has a seal support that surrounds the periphery of the membrane and that overlaps the latter. The membrane electrode also has a connecting layer which continuously overlaps the membrane and the seal support, an inner edge section of the connecting layer being bonded to the membrane electrode unit and an outer edge section of the connecting layer being bonded to the seal support on the same flat face of the connecting layer. A seal is connected outside the membrane to the seal support. A fuel cell is provided that includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies. A motor vehicle includes the fuel cell and a method is provided for producing the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Benno ANDREAS-SCHOTT
  • Publication number: 20150228987
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly has a membrane electrode unit and an integrally formed seal with a first sub-section and a second subsection. The membrane electrode unit has a perforation, along which the seal extends on both faces of the membrane unit. The first sub-section of the seal is situated on a first flat face and the second sub-section on a second flat face of the membrane electrode unit and the two sub-sections are integrally joined through the perforation. A fuel cell is also provided having a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Benno ANDREAS-SCHOTT, Thorsten HICKMANN
  • Publication number: 20150111131
    Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit assembly is disclosed, the water vapor transfer unit assembly including a plurality of water vapor transfer units having a fluid permeable membrane and a plurality of supports disposed within a sealing frame adjacent an end plate of a fuel cell stack, wherein the sealing frame is adapted to provide support to the end plate and a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell stack system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Glenn W. Skala, Thomas P. Migliore, Ian R. Jermy
  • Patent number: 8956779
    Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit assembly is disclosed, the water vapor transfer unit assembly including a plurality of water vapor transfer units having a fluid permeable membrane and a plurality of supports disposed within a sealing frame adjacent an end plate of a fuel cell stack, wherein the sealing frame is adapted to provide support to the end plate and a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell stack system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Glenn W. Skala, Thomas P. Migliore, Ian R. Jermy
  • Patent number: 8920999
    Abstract: A fluid injection/ejection system for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the system includes an array of injectors and ejectors that support hydrogen recirculation and maximize a use of the hydrogen and an efficiency of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Senner, Benno Andreas-Schott
  • Patent number: 8795921
    Abstract: An alignment system and method for assembling a fuel cell stack. Components of the fuel cell stack have internal alignment features and are aligned to a predetermined orientation during assembly. The system and method allow fuel cell stacks to be assembled within high tolerance levels while improving access to each component during assembly. Additionally, the system and method can provide additional rigidity to a fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Benno Andreas-Schott, Thomas P. Migliore, Ivan D. Chapman, Matthew J. Beutel, Mark W. Keyser
  • Patent number: 8450019
    Abstract: A three-way diverter assembly with a movable member is provided. The three-way diverter assembly includes a housing having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet and the second inlet are adapted to receive a fluid. The movable member, disposed in the housing adjacent the first inlet, is rotatable about an axis from a first positional limit to a second positional limit, and selectively positional therebetween. Fuel cell systems having the three-way diverter assembly for regulating temperature and humidity of a fuel cell stack are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Thomas P. Migliore
  • Patent number: 8415067
    Abstract: A three-way diverter assembly with a contoured valve is provided. The three-way diverter assembly includes a housing having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet and the second inlet are adapted to receive a fluid. The contoured valve is disposed in the housing adjacent the first inlet. The contoured valve is rotatable about an axis from a first positional limit to a second positional limit, and to a plurality of positions therebetween. Fuel cell systems having the three-way diverter assembly for regulating temperature and humidity of a fuel cell stack are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Glenn W. Skala, Benno Andreas-Schott, Martin M. Hoch